(WBBM Newsradio) – A former state child welfare worker wants a new trial following his conviction in connection with the 2019 beating death of a 5-year-old suburban boy by his mother.
Carlos Acosta, 57, a former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services worker was convicted in October for mishandling an abuse investigation leading to the 2019 death of 5-year-old AJ Freund of Crystal Lake.
Acosta was found guilty of endangering the child’s life and faces a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years after the child was allowed to stay with his family despite evidence of injury, domestic violence, and mental illness. Additionally there was indication the child's mom was injecting heroin.
The Northwest Herald reports that Acosta says he wants another trial. He’s claiming it wasn't fair, citing the admission of irrelevant documents and hearsay, improper testimony from state experts and prejudicial evidence including videos he says were not relevant to his investigation.
The next court day is set for Feb. 13, 2024.